Don’t underestimate the problem.

In Utah, drinking now begins as early as elementary school, and parents are often unaware of their child’s use of alcohol. In fact, in a national survey, 31 percent of kids who said they had been drunk in the past year had parents who believed their children were nondrinkers.1, 2

Notice your child's emotional well-being.

Boundaries are the rules and expectations that define what parents expect their children to do or not to do.

Help your child become involved in worthwhile activities. Encourage them to develop a positive, optimistic attitude.

Watch for signs of excess stress or depression. These can lead to teen drinking. Help them cope in healthy ways: music, sports/exercise, or talking with a counselor, friend or doctor, etc.

Take time to listen with empathy to their concerns. Try to spend at least 15 minutes a day of one-on-one time. Repeating a phrase or two back to them as they talk lets them know they were heard.

How to monitor

Help kids to choose friends wisely.

If your child’s friends drink, your child is much more likely to drink too. Peers who drink are the single greatest risk factor for underage alcohol use. Encourage your kids to choose friends who support your family values and no-alcohol rules.